Propagation of Finite Elastic Waves in Rubber

Abstract

THE propagation of finite waves in fluids or solids generally presents considerable difficulty, both theoretically and experimentally. In rubber-like materials, however, the experimental difficulties are greatly reduced; for example, a finite pulse of unloading may be propagated simply by stretching a rubber strip and letting go of one end. A theory of this ‘free retraction’ has been given by James and Guth¹ and tested experimentally by Mrowca, Dart and Guth². The retraction process is considered as the propagation of a stress pulse from the released tip to the fixed end, the tip itself retracting with such a velocity that the specimen achieves its unstrained state at the instant that the pulse reaches the fixed end.